Shakeup At QB: Cody Endres To Start, Mike Box Listed As Backup

UConn coach Randy Edsall made one heck of a statement on the depth chart for Saturday's game against Vanderbilt.

Not only will he go with redshirt junior Cody Endres as his starting quarterback over senior Zach Frazer, but redshirt freshman Mike Box is listed at No. 2. Frazer started the first four games.

The depth chart doesn't say Box OR Frazer, as if the two were locked in a competition. Frazer, who led the Huskies to four consecutive victories to close the 2009 season, struggled through a 1-2 start in 2010 and a lackluster first half in the fourth game.

Edsall will address the depth chart today at 11:30 a.m. inside the Burton Complex on campus.

Endres started the second half Saturday and sparked the Huskies with two touchdown passes in a 45-21 over Buffalo. The Huskies, tied at halftime, outscored the Bulls 31-7 in the second half.

Box's spot on the depth chart means Edsall would go with an inexperienced but talented younger player over an experienced, battle-tested Frazer, should something happen to Endres.

Endres returned from a monthlong suspension for violating athletic department policy and in less than a week became the starting quarterback. He was sharp against Buffalo, completing 7 of 11 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. He hit Michael Smith for a 56-yard gain and although he lost a fumble on his 9-yard line, wasn't intercepted. Frazier was 7 for 14 for 94 yards, no TDs and an interception.

Erik Kuraczea, also suspended with Endres, became the starting left guard over senior Mathieu Olivier.

While there is no competition at quarterback, junior kicker Dave Teggart is fighting for his job with Chad Christen, a redshirt freshman. Teggart, who has never missed an extra point, had a field goal attempt blocked by the Bulls.

There is no competition for the No. 2 job behind starter Jordan Todman, according to the depth chart. Robbie Frey (112 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown against UB) is the guy over D.J. Shoemate (16 carries, 60 yards, one TD). Shoemate got his first start against the Bulls and Frey was named to the Big East honor roll.

"Robbie and I were very comfortable with the performances we came up with," Shoemate said Saturday. "Every time you have an opportunity to play more, that's a dream come true. That's one of the reasons I came here [from Southern California]. I want to get the opportunity to play."

Sio Moore, a redshirt sophomore, is now the starter at weakside linebacker and senior Lawrence Wilson moves from the weakside to the middle. Scott Lutrus, who has missed three games with an upper extremity injury believed to be a stinger, is listed as the starting strong side linebacker. Greg Lloyd is in a reserve role behind Wilson.

Surgery For Wylie

Junior running back Kelmetrus Wylie is out for the season. He needs surgery on his left knee following an injury sustained in the third quarter.

Wylie was injured on a kickoff return by the Bulls' Terrell Jackson with 10:18 to play. He was scheduled to serve as the Huskies' No. 2 running back before the game but did not play at the position at the time of his injury.

"I'm very disappointed and sad for Meme because he's been a program player here and this is his fourth year here," Edsall said on a conference call Monday. "He's made great contributions for us on special teams and he was going to have the opportunity to get on the field as a running back, and that was all taken away from him on kickoff coverage."

Todman, UConn's top running back, injured his left arm against Temple two weeks ago and did not play Saturday. Edsall declined to update his status Monday, referring instead to the release of the Big East injury report on Thursday.

Freshman linebacker Yawin Smallwood will also miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Smallwood, twice named the scout team player of the week, was to redshirt.